It is recognised that there is a wide range of community attitudes and experiences regarding coal and coal operations in the Upper Hunter, and as such, there is likely to be a high level of interest in the exploration project.
Consultation is an important part of the project and is being undertaken in line with current government requirements, as outlined in the DRE Guidelines for Community Consultation for Exploration Projects.
The team has spent considerable time and effort talking with landholders and various other stakeholders during the exploration activities completed to date and will continue to do so as exploration progresses. This consultation will continue to support drilling and other exploration activities as they progress.
Community Fund
Ridgelands Coal made a commitment when it submitted its expression of interest for the area covered by EL 8064, that it would establish a $5 million local "Community Fund" to support a series of initiatives that will benefit the local community during the exploration stage of the project. Upon granting of EL8064, the Community Fund requirement was incorporated as a condition of the EL.
To facilitate the administration of the Ridgelands Community Fund an Investment Committee has been established and includes representatives from Ridgelands, Muswellbrook Shire Council and the local Wybong community.
In June 2018 Ridgelands has entered into an Enforceable Undertaking agreement with Resources Regulator (NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment) in which an additional $200,000 was made available to the community fund for projects providing an economic, social or environmental benefit. Details on the enforceable undertaking can be found on the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment website.
Ridgelands Community Fund and the Investment Committee have contributed funding to 45 local projects over three rounds of allocation, to the sum of $5,203,244.28.
Nine local initiatives from Round 1 were the receipt of a combined total of $548,565.00, as outlined in Table 1.
|
First Round Funding |
|
|
APPLICANT |
INITIATIVE |
|
Denman-Sandy Hollow Junior Rugby League Club |
Denman Recreation Ground Grandstand |
|
"Hunter Valley Aboriginal Corporation (HVAC)" |
"NAIDOC 2018 ""Because of her, We Can"" Celebrations Sponsorship of Art awards, promotion and prizes" |
|
"Hunter Valley Aboriginal Corporation (HVAC)" |
Sustainability Hub, Penguins Community Garden Group |
|
Muswellbrook Men's Shed Incorporated |
Recycling Facility - Fund Raising |
|
Muswellbrook Shire Council |
Ridgelands Precinct Road Safety Improvements Investigation |
|
Muswellbrook Shire Council |
Sandy Hollow Masterplan Works |
|
Muswellbrook Shire Council |
Upper Hunter Innovation Hub |
|
"Upper Hunter Education Fund Inc. (UHEF)" |
Upper Hunter Education Fund |
|
Wybong Public Hall Inc |
Maintenance and improvement Program |
|
|
TOTAL $548,565.00 |
As a response to the second call for Applicants in April 2018, the Community Fund and Investment Committee contributed remaining resources to fund 28 local community initiatives, outlined in Table 2.
|
Second Round Funding |
|
|
APPLICANT |
INITIATIVE |
|
Children's Mobile Outreach Service - UHCS - Toy Box |
Replacement of Vehicles for Children's Mobile Outreach Service |
|
Denman and District Development association Inc. |
Denman News and community Technology Centre |
|
Denman and District Heritage Village Inc. |
Denman and District Heritage Village Inc. |
|
Denman Branch of the United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW Inc |
Provide Onsite staff accommodation at Denman MPS |
|
Denman Pony Club Inc. |
Pony Club Canteen Complex |
|
Family Action Centre, University of Newcastle |
Muswellbrook Child and Family Wellbeing Clinic (Learners’ Health Hub in Muswellbrook Schools) |
|
Landcare - The Hunter Region Landcare Network |
Sandy Hollow Junior Landcare and Outdoor Classroom for Sandy Hollow Primary School |
|
Muswellbrook Amateur RSL Youth Swimming Club Inc |
Dolphin Swimming System |
|
Muswellbrook Girl Guides |
Glenalla Revegetation Project - Stage Two |
|
Muswellbrook High School P&C Canteen |
Canteen Kitchen upgrade |
|
Muswellbrook Little Athletics Centre Inc. |
Discus Cage |
|
Muswellbrook Shire Council |
Learn to Swim Pool |
|
Muswellbrook Shire Council |
‘Black Box Studio’ dance and flexible performance space |
|
Muswellbrook Shire Council |
Expansion of Denman Children’s Centre |
|
Muswellbrook Shire Council |
Denman Memorial Hall |
|
Muswellbrook Shire Council |
Expansion of Memorial Park (Denman) |
|
Muswellbrook Shire Council |
Tertiary Education Centre (Stage 2) |
|
Sandy Hollow Progress Association |
Sandy Hollow Hall |
|
Sandy Hollow Progress Association |
Honey Lane |
|
Sandy Hollow Progress Association |
The Sandy Hollow Community Cattle Growing Initiative |
|
TransCare Hunter Ltd |
TransCare Muswellbrook Seniors Expo |
|
Upper Hunter Riding for Disabled Association |
Completion of Upper Hunter RDA Arena |
|
Upper Hunter Where there’s a Will Pty Ltd |
Professional Certificate of Education (Positive Education) |
|
Wybong Brigade |
Wybong mobile phone/call tower project |
|
Wybong Public Hall |
Wybong Community Hall Addition and refurbishment Project |
|
Wybong Public Hall |
Wybong Rural Community workshops |
|
Wybong Wild Dog Association |
Wybong Integrated Pest Control project |
|
Zone 7 Pony Club Inc |
2018 Zone 7 Pony Club Camp |
|
|
TOTAL $ 4,452,629.76 |
As a result of the Enforceable Undertaking and the additional $200,000 that was made available, the Community Fund and Investment Committee decided to commit the remaining resources to projects from Round 1 and Round 2 that showed merit and were unable to be fully funded in Round 1 or Round 2. Eight local community initiatives received a combined total of $202,049.52 as outlined in Table 3.
|
Third Round Funding |
|
|
APPLICANT |
INITIATIVE |
|
Upper Hunter Where there is a Will there is a Way |
Professional Certificate of Education (Positive Education)
|
|
Denman Sandy Hollow Junior Rugby League Football |
Complete the seating and handrails for the new grandstand seating at Denman’s new sporting ovals |
|
Wybong Wild Dog Association |
Additional funds for the Wybong Integrated Pest Control project |
|
Sandy Hollow Progress Association |
Construction of Public Toilet amenities in the vicinity of Honey Lane |
|
Group 21 Junior Rugby League |
Sponsorship program and purchase of equipment, apparel, etc. |
|
Muswellbrook High School P&C Canteen |
Outdoor Seating |
|
Wybong Fire Brigade |
Communications Tower (GST component for approved Feasibility Study) |
|
Denman Branch of the United Auxiliaries of NSW Inc |
Additional funds to provide air conditioning to approved staff accommodation at Denman MPS |
|
Total |
$202,049.52 |
For any general enquiries regarding the Ridgelands Community Fund and Investment Committee, please phone 1800 137 958 or email contact@ridgelandsresources.com.au